What is the point of doing more units?

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Dear Member,
I have been thinking long and hard on when it was the right time to move on to Stage 2 – Our Temple.
In truth, there is no correct answer but I feel it is important that some of you start to understand you have a great deal more work to do.  This is a ‘self-help‘ unit and by its nature relies on personal integrity and determination.  You must want to succeed or all that will happen is you will get to the end of the units – fall into sin – then declare it doesn’t work for you!  I know, because I have made that statement many times in the past.
If by working through Stage 1 you have found that your sinning through impurity has dramatically reduced or stopped, then well done.  This does not mean you are cured but it does show you have the power to control these sinful urges.  It shows that you have a choice – use it well.  That does not mean you should stop with the fellowship and get on with your life.  Now you can use your new found strength of will to help others by providing support and advice.  More of that in Stage 3…
The majority of us, however, will probably be close to giving up.  We will have decided that this approach is not working or not suited to our circumstances / situation…
Please leave any advice or recommendations in the comments section below.  Feedback is definitely appreciated.
ALSO!
I have reviewed Unit 1.0 and added some crucial questions surrounding Internet controls and ‘Who should we tell…and when?’  Definitely worth looking at if you are following this course.
Yours in Jesus, Mary & Joseph
Sa James
UNIT 2.0 – But I keep on falling

3 thoughts on “What is the point of doing more units?”

  1. Benedict

    I have a question about spiritual director. Does it have to be a priest? And does contact with him have to be in real time or it can be online? There are no traditional priests in my town, that’s why i ask.
    God bless Man of hope members.

  2. sajames

    Hi Benedict,
    I have a spiritual director who is 5 hours away from me. However, I make at least one trip a year to see him and I plan in regular telephone ‘consultations’. As a priest he is aware of the firm line we ‘as addicts’ need to walk. I could go further but I will ask for a response from a priest instead.

    I agree that you should also have somebody you can have casual daily contact with – this is your mentor. Within this group I believe it is important to share with someone who understands and ‘knows’ your battles. It will help form a trusting bond and should aid any recovery. Alcoholics Anonymous and Sexaholics Anonymous work on this same principle in their 12 step program.

    That does not mean you could not use a trusted friend who is willing to challenge your less desirable traits – without being judgemental. Ultimately you have to be confident that this person – who could also be labelled your ‘Accountability Partner’ – is mature enough to work with you through some very diffficult personal issues.

    Hope this helps
    Yours in Jesus, Mary & Joseph

  3. Fr Nicholas

    Hi Benedict, yes, the spiritual director has to be a priest. Contact can be in real time, by phone, or online. Even if you have to travel to visit your spiritual director now and then, this will be a source of many blessings to you. It is best not to leave spiritual direction for the short time you have in confession, when there is (usually) a long queue of people waiting. Rather try to make an appointment to see a priest during the week (or speak on the phone), when the priests have more time. God bless you!

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